Diving over Caribbean way...

[LesleySS]

I am taking a sabbatical from work later this year so Mr Lesley and I are planning to have a couple of weeks somewhere yummy with equally yummy diving   !  (Probably looking at going in late November).  We've trawled brochures and websites but there's nothing like a little first hand information... we quite fancy all of the places in the poll but how are we meant to choose between them   ?!!

So, if you have a spare moment, let me know which you'd recommend and any stories you might have of your experience there.  Alternatively, if I missed out somewhere amazing - tell me about it!!

Thanks guys.  

[Dr Stevil]

Apparently Dominican Republic is supposedly very very cheap, as apparently are/is Trinidad & Tobago, Bonaire is out of the "hurricane belt" which might be useful info, I'm sure Chris Hall can give you more detailed info, esp about the Caymans
HTH
Steve

[Mr T.]

Out of the above named, I've only dived the Bahamas and Tobago (not listed), how ever, November is the wettest month for travel to Tobago, so probably want to think of another dive venue.

The Bahamas is the nads though. Highly recommended. Loads of reef-n-wreck action, great viz, sharks, and underwater film-sets - the 'James Bond Wrecks (where all the underwater scenes in all Bond films are done), and the Cesna plane from the film 'Jaws 4 - Sharky Gets Braces...' or what ever it was called.

Enjoy.

[daz]

Dived,   Caymans, Dominican Republic and Mexico...

In all honesty..  Did not rate DR much, thought Caymans was good but  very expensive for what it offered (You could probably do the Maldives for the same price !!)

Suprisingly quite liked Mexico around Cancun.  Not loads to see but quite a lot of Nurse sharks...  Not so keen on Cozumel !! (Yeah I know.. Go figure).

I much prefer the indian ocean and Red sea to the Caribbean hands down.

Daz

[John Gulliver]

I've been to the Bahamas (a couple of times), Barbados, Grand Cayman, Cozumel (Mexico), Tobago and Roatan (Bay Islands, Honduras). Grand Cayman (but not Seven Mile Beach), Cozumel and Tobago have the best diving. Roatan has no big fish. Barbados is quite a nice holiday destination but the diving is nothing to write home about, in my opinion. The Bahamas is expensive and the diving in the two areas I've been to (the Bimini area and New Providence) rather mediocre, in my opinion. Tobago is the only place I'd consider going back to. It's a beautiful island, the people are lovely and prices are reasonable. Peter Hughes Inc are moving one of their live-aboards to Tobago this October, by the way.

[LesleySS]

Thanks everyone.  I spent the weekend trawling through Hayes & Jarvis/Barefoot Traveller brochures and I think I have myself a shortlist based on your comments on this thread (I'm a strong believer in personal testimonials) and info from the brochures.

So I'm thinking it will either be Cayman Islands, Tobago, Turks & Caicos or Curacao.  All of these will be fine to visit in November weather-wise and all have pretty good diving apparently...

Just on further question - all these brochures are bloody expensive so I'd be interested to know whether you guys book full-on package deals/all-inclusives which include the diving or whether you just book the holiday, get there and mosey on down to the local dive centre to strike a deal   ?!

I can't stand the thought on doing a Sandals but actually it makes the diving prices quite reasonable.  Oh god, decisions decisions!

[Dr Stevil]

Don't forget the bargain basement sites too, can't guarantee you'll find something suitable but it's worth a look from time to time
http://www.divernet.com/xtra/xtraoffers.shtml
http://www.bsactravelclub.co.uk/offers.htm

[John Gulliver]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (LesleySS @ July 28 2003,11:08)]So I'm thinking it will either be Cayman Islands, Tobago, Turks & Caicos or Curacao.  All of these will be fine to visit in November weather-wise and all have pretty good diving apparently...

Tobago is a lovely island and the people are very friendly. The best diving is around Speyside. There are a couple of good dive centres there.
The Cayman Diving Lodge is fairly reasonable and close to the east end, which, together with North Side (it's called that), has the best diving on Grand Cayman.
Haven't been to the Turks and Caicos, so can't comment.
Haven't been to Curacao either but friends who have been to both say Bonaire has better diving.

[arty93]

<font color='#000080'>Hi Lesley

Can't say i've been to any of those places but after reading THIS T &amp; C is definately on my list

HTH

Paul

[John Gulliver]

Originally Posted by [b

Quote[/b] (arty93 @ July 29 2003,11:37)]Hi Lesley

Can't say i've been to any of those places but after reading THIS T &amp; C is definately on my list

HTH

Paul

The article is about deep, technical diving. I doubt if Lesley is ready for that. From what I've read, though, the &quot;ordinary&quot; diving at Provo is also pretty good by Caribbean standards – healthy coral and lots of fish. It's a popular destination for american divers and there are lots of resorts. One independent reviewer says Sandals' dive operation &quot;will drive an experienced diver nuts. Dives are led and bottom time limited to 30 minutes&quot;. The island has fantastic beaches, apparently. I suspect it's getting very touristy.